The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-07

the Utah expedition 1 did not
choose to select one only from my
army acquaintance, I'D / gave three
names. He said, Do you aud Gen.
Scott ever agree about anythingp l
said, i think so.' He replied, In this
instance you have named the same
three men, They were Persiier Smith,
of Louisiana, Albert Sydney Johnston
and r. E. Lee. Johnston was selected,
and he was the best selection. He
commanded the expedition to Utah
and YVES made brigadier general
by brevet. So he had gone to
the highest grade next to the com.
msnder in chief within short period
| sfter the Mexican war. Previous D
that he kGd resigned from the army
and lost his position. Whe the war
between the Staes commenced his
rank and his reputation gave him the
right to believe aud expect all that
would be given In the army OF the
United States. But, true to the chiv-
alric 7 aturs OF which have spoken,
and seeing few States asserting their
right to form government resting
on the consent Of the governed,
ard the attempt of the msjor-
ity to deprive them Of the right,
he sacrificed all be had gained in the
United States Army and travelled
across trackless desert and offered his
service to a minority struggling for the
right. None who knew Sydney john
ston could imagine him ignorant of
the fact that this smaller body OF men,
without arms, without navy, without
workshops, without the material of
war, would have TO contend against Ter
rible odds. On the field OF Shiloh he
made but one mistake. He had planned
that battle and sent me telegram
(Which was lost), which described it
Just as it was fought-the only battle
in the worlds history that was fought
as the general expected. The mistake
he made was in allowing somebody
else to direct the order of march 30
that the army did not get to the field
OF battle as soon rs they should have
arrived there. That one day lost en-
abled Bcell to approach Grant, john
ston was one day later in striking the
enemy, but he struck when he could
AMI the field WAS carried from point to
point At one portion held by the
enemy, an obstinate resistance was
offered, and now / give my own
theory, in which, perhaps, am justi-
fed by an intimate knowledge Of the
man ard what he would do under the
circumstances. When he saw that
stubborn resistance and rode forward
to direct the operations himself, re-
ceiving then fatal wound, l fully be-
lieve that il he had been told you can
keep your saddle fifteen minutes and
consummate this victory, but if you
do it is at the risk of your life, no
would havesaid: 'l'll take the chances
Thus il was he remained in the
saddle until IL was too late to afford
him any relief. When he fell one Of
the mighty pillars that supported the
temple of the Confederacy, and gave
us reason TO believe that we would
win our fight in the West, went down.
1 loved him as brother; / hoIored
h m as a man; l admired him rs a
hero; but, more than all this,
felt the sore loss to a just cause
which was inflicted when Johnston
died. My friends, l have already said
enough. You all know that john
ston led an army which was composed
of material rapidly thrown together.
One corps commanded by the gallant
and true soldier, Bragg, was the only
one which had the advantage OF thor
ough discipline. You who followed |
Johuston through battle saw how he |
had gone forward, step by step, until |
at last he was sDatched by death from |
the very arm of victory almost COM
pleted by his genius and your valor,
the valor Of the Army of the Tennes-
see, which, whether in advance or re.
future geneIations.
In reply to an invitation to be pres |
emit OF the unwilling, President Cleve-
land sent the following:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April 2, ISL
Walter II. Rogers, Presidents
My DEAR SIR acknowledge with |
thanks an invitation extended me by |
the Association of the Army of Ten
nessee TO attend the unwilling Of an
eq 1est ian sta s of Gen. A. Sydney
Johnson, on the 9th instant, at
Mstaire Cemetery. l regret that |
owing to engrossipg official duties,
which demand my attention, / cannot
be present on that occasion.
That Gen. johnson was greai
soldier, and that from the time he
left West Point to the hour Of his
death on the field OF Shiloh he was
conspicuous for valor, for military
celebrity and for the highest personal
character, must be fully conceded by
all his countrymen. The erection OF
monument Tor the perpetustion Of his
name is a fitting testimony to the af-
lection and respect in which he is held
by his comrades OF the civil war, and
may well be to them work of the
greatest interest and satisfaction. The
patriotic sentiments accompanying the
invitation which have received, and
the frsternal feeling therein expressed,
1 gladly recognize as proofs that in the
present conditions every American
citizen may shsre in the pride in
spired by the illustration of the traits
which have enabled American char
scter. With my best wishes for the
success aud prosperity Of your society,
am, yours sincerely, .
The ststue Is a bronze one. eome-
thing similar to the one IN Jackson
Square of Gen. Andrew jackson. II
anything, it makes a grsnder appear
ance. There were large number OF
prominent exec nfederates from diff
ferent parts Of the South, East, West
aud North present. The flowing To-
cal military organizations took part in
the proceedings:
Battalion Washington ARTILLERY, Lieuten.
ant Colonel Richardson.
Tennison Rifles, Capt. Tennison.
B artery B, Louisiana Field Artillery, Capt.
Beanham.
Louisiana Rifles, Capt. Adams.
Crescent Light Guards, Capt. PRlfrey.
Continental Guards, Capt. Drown.
The Knights of Pythias, Maj. Henry
Street.
Mrs. Albert Sydney Johnston, of GAL
ifornis; is in the city, and was yester-
dsy presented with a beautiful geld
Al. II ~ ~